17 Jul
Tue 		15th Week in Ordinary Time
Ex. 2:1-15a
Ps. 69:2, 13, 29-30, 32-33
Mt. 11:20-24
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When a difficult situation overwhelms us today and there is no way out, we tend to think that our world has ended. The psalmist expressed this perfectly when he says, "I have sunk into the mud of the deep and there is no foothold." However, the life of Moses shows that things are never as dark as it seems and God can bring us out of any darkness in our lives.

Unlike Moses and the psalmist who found God in the darkest of times, the people of the towns whom Jesus reproaches could not see God. Chrorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum are towns in Galilee where Jesus performed many miracles. These miracles such as healing of the blind man (Mk. 8:22) or the many who were sick and possessed (Mt. 8:3-17) point to the presence of God behind them. Yet, they could not see past the miracles. They could not see that the God who could work such wonders would do the same in their lives. They had only to respond in faith, love and obedience.

We may not always see spectacular signs by God in our lives or see Him work in the way we like. Nevertheless, whether in the best or worst of times, we have only to look to God for as the psalmist prays, "God-seeking hearts will revive for the Lord listens to the needy..."


O Lord, revive our hearts as we continue to seek You in our lives.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the Gospel, may be read and lived in Christian families by parents and children, so that they may bear witness to the hope of Christ
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That the Gospel, may be read and lived in Christian families by parents and children, so that they may bear witness to the hope of Christ

Abraham and Mary received a wonderful promise from God. For both Abraham and Mary, the divine promise came as something completely unexpected. God disrupted the daily course of their lives, overturning its settled rhythms and conventional expectations. The promise seemed impossible. We must learn to walk in darkness.

Modelling ourselves on Mary, we ask her to help us look at and to listen to, to ponder and to penetrate the deep and mysterious meaning of the very simple, very humble and very beautiful appearing of the Son of God. We pray for a great renewal of faith in all the children of the Church everywhere to preach the good news to the poor. We ask her to teach us the way of humble and joyful obedience to the Gospel in the service of our brothers and sisters, without preferences and without prejudices. A deep renewal that is not just reflected in a general attitude to life, but as a conscious and courageous profession of the Creed. We ask the Holy Family to inspire all Christians to defend the family against so many present-day threats to its nature, its stability and its mission. We pray the efforts of Christians and of all people of good will to defend life and to promote respect for the dignity of every human being.



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